Social media on Mental health

 By Quintarius Reynolds 

 Social media has been worsening mental health among college students with anxiety, depression are the main problems.

Sixty percent of college students now say they struggle with anxiety or depression compared to previous years. 

Stonehill college students and professors talk about Their view on social media’s affect on college students 

Stonehill professor Anna Lannstrom said she believes mental health concerns among college students can be connected to social media.  “The rise in mental health concerns among college students does seem to align with the increase in smartphone and social media use,” said Lannstrom. 

She points out that social media is not the only culprit but it’s something we need our eyes on.

 Stonehill student Violet Falvey said people can feel behind while looking at other people lives. “Even if you’re doing fine, scrolling through everyone else’s highlights makes you feel like you’re behind,” Falvey said.

Students believe social media itself isn’t inherently bad but it comes down to habits. All the phone checking takes away focus and staying productive becomes an uphill battle academically speaking. 

Stonehill student Sophie Emmanuel said:  “People don’t talk as much in person anymore, You can be sitting with friends, and everyone is still on their phones. It kind of takes away from real connections,” Emmanuel said

Not every student thinks social media is bad all around although some do argue its impact on how users engage with these platforms day to day. “Yeah I think it has a small effect depending on how you use it.” said Marcus McCoy. 

Stonehill students also say scrolling late into the night throws off sleep schedules big time next thing you know stress levels spike while grades tumble downwards a vicious cycle tied right back into overall mental wellness struggles. Now before painting everything black and white it bears mentioning that experts see upsides too . 

Gianna Fiordimondo said social media causes mental health issues in people when they are comparing their lives with others. “Yes, because it can decrease motivation, creates more comparison between others and when there is higher screen time it decreases how much time is spent in a productive state,” Fiordimondo said.

Social media keeps friends connected across distances and quick information is always within reach. Virtual communities flourish where they couldn’t before, all undeniably valuable pieces of the puzzle. Still, without some boundaries. Negative effects tend to steal center stage pretty quickly. 

 less social time plus prioritizing genuine relationships offline whenever possible helps tip things toward healthier outcomes overall. At day’s end, or semester's end it boils down to this balancing act between connection versus comparison fatigue as social media continues weaving itself deeper into daily routines among college crowds everywhere. 

Mental health studies shows how these patterns are affecting students long term and many are raising  concerns about how often 

Spending more time glued to screens tends to go hand in hand with elevated stress, a sense of isolation, and an overall dip in well-being for young adults. Social media hands us instant communication and endless amusement on a silver platter, but it also fosters this weird atmosphere where students feel like they have to be perpetually “on” replying at all hours. 

Jose Sanchez said: “Keeping up appearances, measuring themselves against everyone else’s highlight reel as well as Staying fully present during class or even face to face conversations starts feeling like an uphill battle.”

The result is burnout students running on empty mentally, overwhelmed whether or not they’re technically busy

These tweaks might seem minor at first glance, they’re really only scratching the surface, but breaking old habits takes some grit and self awareness. Many colleges now offer expanded counseling options plus workshops centered around digital wellness.